Post Traumatic?

Recently Max was switched to a “big boy” bed. This choice was not a calculated, thought out plan. This was something that was forced upon us. Yes, I know what you are thinking, “how can a two year old force something upon you, and why are trix only for kids?” Well, first things first, and to answer the first question we must go back a little bit.

It was like any other day, and Max was well beyond needing a nap and we were more than happy to oblige. Unfortunately, me and Andrea only have one flaw each. Yes, you read that right, ONE flaw each. When Andrea is hungry the world is in danger, and when I am sleepy, well, let’s just say that I could probably hurt someone and wouldn’t blink an eye until I got more sleep. So, Max has inherited both traits and he had just eaten and was now ready for a deep slumber.

We placed him in his crib kicking and screaming, turned on his music on his mobile and left the room. Eves dropping through the baby monitor it only took a couple of minutes for Maxwell to fall asleep. Sigh.

It is a wonderful feeling to know that your out of control child is peaceful for a moment. But who really knows. Maybe he is dreaming of terrorizing everything and everybody and just itching to wake up and complete his dreams.

Usually Max will sleep about two hours. This is the compromise since he stopped sleeping two times a day. However, about 45 minutes into the nap we heard some stirring coming from his room. It is extremely rare if we hear Max at any time less than an hour and a half after he lays down. So this was an atypical occasion. Andrea and I listened attentively as the noises continued. Slowly they lessened and we figured Max had gone back to sleep, assuming it was Max.

Things had settled down and I sunk back into the couch and rested into the cushions. It’s terrible a couch so resting is for lack of a better word. Maybe, positioned myself so my backbone wasn’t jamming into the wood protruding from the monstrosity we call a couch. Does that work? Oh well.

So, as I lay there, trying not to focus on what a terrible couch we had, we once again heard some noises, but no talking or mumbling. When all at once we heard a loud bang. I can truly tell you that I was afraid, very afraid. Peeking over the couch we both studied the hall thoughtfully that leads to Max’s room. As we watched, we suddenly heard the rattle of a door knob as if someone was trying to get in but having quite the struggle. Now, in my mind I thought it was the door leading to the Mortuary and wondered who was trying to get into the apartment. Of course I then correlated the loud bang with the same person who was trying desperately to open a door…an everyday door with no locks engaged.

Feeling slightly brave at 5:00 in the evening I got up and started to walk towards the door, when all of a sudden a little figure ran out and scared the hell out of me. He came out of the darkness with his feet moving a million miles per hour. If you have ever seen Family Guy with the baby Stewie you will know what I am talking about. Not that I am encouraging anyone to watch Family Guy, but if you have you will understand the pitter patter of his feet.

Instead of waiting for the figure to make itself known I ran to a corner and grabbed a pillow for protection. If this were a horror movie I would be in the farthest corner of the attic with no possible exits close enough for escape. Instead, I was in the farthest corner of the apartment with no possible exists close enough for escape. Slowly, the figure started to make itself know and low and behold it was the Tasmanian devil we so lovingly call Maxwell. He sheepishly stepped from the catacombs of the hall and stood defiantly in the entry area of the living room starring at us like, “what do we do now?”

Of course Max had learned to crawl out of his crib and in the ensuing moments learned how to use a door knob all the while trying to kill his parents with fright. Needless to say, we were forced into putting him into a big boy bed so as to not hurt himself climbing out of his crib and jumping to the floor like he is Indiana Jones and of course a child safety device over the doorknob to keep our little terror in his room. Not only for his safety but also so as not to hear a stream of curses and flailing of arms and legs towards a pretended invader when he tries his little Houdini act again. Who is John Galt?

It has been several months since this transition has occurred and things have settled down. The doctor says I still need to rest my heart and I am on several medications and PTSD is certainly a possibility. Not to mention the night light that accompanies us.

So of course as logical and well reasoned human beings, you know what we decided to do…have another one. Max certainly needs an accomplice to his madness and as good parents we have happily obliged to his request. Further updates to follow. ~Fin~

Boy? Girl? or Abi-doo-doo?

Well, the time has come to make an announcement. I am expecting another child! This baby is expected to arrive on February 22, 2010. It still seems a really long way away. I am only 15 weeks along. But Max thinks he already knows what we are going to have. We don't really find out until Sept. 30, but Max says it is a girl baby and we are going to name her Abidoodoo. For those of you who don't know what an abidoodoo is, I'll explain. An abidoodoo is the inflatable balloon guys that stores put out in front to attract attention with the waving arms. Max will show you what an abidoodoo does if you ask him. But that is what he wants to name the baby girl. I'm okay with it. Anyway, we'll continue to keep you posted. We are really excited but I don't think we realize what it will mean to have Max plus one. I think Max may be enough on his own for anyone!

Maxwell Smart!

Or is he...?
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, he climbed into the bottom basket of the stroller and got stuck. He sure is cute though! We thought we better give an update of Max "The Flash," as his aunt Julie named him. That's about all he does...run, run, run... and begs to vacuum! That's his most favortie thing in the world. I can't wait until he's big enough to push it himself and he can vacuum whenever he wants!
This is our little BYU Lion (we know he's not a cougar, but close enough.) Go Cougars!



And he likes to do the dishes too! Wouldn't it be great if that would last at least 20 more years!

Well, we think he's at least going to like baseball and football!

By the way...Shaun and I are doing good and I think we are just as cute as Max!

Welcome to IN-N-OUT...in Utah?

Apparently the rumors are true. In-n-out burger is coming to Utah. I had heard this supposed heresy, but was unsure if it was really true or not. My aunt Peggy had told me, and she was thrilled. She was born and raised in L.A., so this was a dream come true. I as well come from the land-o-plenty of So.Cal, however, I hail from the better part which, of course, is San Diego. 

I'll be honest I have some split feelings about this move. I just can't picture an In-n-out burger in the snow. There is just something inherently wrong about that. When I'm at an In-n-out it means that I am somewhere warm and sunny, for the moment I have escaped the terror of the snow.

However, I'm sure once I get the fabulous double-double, the hesitancy will all go away. Or if I'm really hungry, a four by four. I actually don't recommend this. I did that once in Barstow, because I knew I wouldn't have In-n-out for awhile. I was sick until Lehi. 

I guess I'll just have to close my eyes and pretend I'm somewhere else. Or better yet, invest in a UV lamp and get a tan, or a sunburn, whatever. 

P.S. Max blogs coming soon. We know that's all you care about, but we like to tease.  

Who'll Stop the Rain? Creedence Will, That's Who?

While in High School one of my favorite albums was Creedence Clearwater Revival's Chronicle album, a collection of their greatest hits. Unfortunately,  while I was on the mission I very generously loaned my c.d. collection to my brother's. The collection was neatly organized into a album that at first was cataloged in alphabetical order, which by the way is a bad idea. Simply by the fact that you get one c.d. out of place or get a new c.d., and it takes quite a long time to get them back into such an order. Needless to say that habit was abandoned after  a couple tries and I simply trudged through my collection in disorder. 

One day on the mission after tracting in the wonderful weather of Western New York in the middle of January, I received a letter. An actual hand written letter. At this time I was only used to receiving email every p-day. The letter was from my brother's and it had the great indication of love. Oh, how wrong I was. The letter at first was inviting and warm, something that lifts a person's spirits. However, not to long into this cruel facade a bomb was dropped. My collection had been stolen, it was gone forever.  Of course I was forgiving at the time, however, when I got home and had time to settle into the regular life routine I began to miss that collection. Many of the music I would not listen too, but there were others. Like the Beatles. I had at least six of their albums and my goal was to gain all of them. Wasn't meant to be. Of course one of the great albums was Creedence. 

Just the other day I was thinking about Creedence and how much I enjoyed their Chronicle album. The world is a strange and wonderful place. A few days passed and I chanced a look at iTunes and what to my surprise, but the Chronicles album for only $5.00. That my friends is what I like to call serendipity. So I bought and I have enjoyed. Oh the enjoyment. Who'll stop the rain you ask. Well I believe I have already answered that question. So now if you'll excuse me, Susie Q is calling my name.